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What happens if you refill your norco early?

Hi all! Was wondering what would happen in my situation. Today I went to Walgreen's with my sister to run an errand and while I was there, I wanted to ask which day my Norco script was due to be refilled (I wasn't sure if it was Friday or Saturday). I go to a PM doctor for degenerative disc & have been taking Norco since December. I asked the girl if she could check which day I was eligible for refill although this wasn't my normal Walgreen's but I figured since Walgreen's has a computer system, they can look up exactly when my script is ready. (I wasn't planning on filling it there because according to my PM contract I must fill at one pharmacy. I just wanted the date checked.) She asked me randomly if I was taking the medication as scheduled, not really paying attention I said yes. I also didn't want to get into detail about the fact that my doctor doesn't really have me on a specific schedule. He originally did, and then I told him that I was more comfortable taking the meds as needed ie some days I take 1, 2 or 0 and he didn't mind. I just didn't want to go into all of that. Then later, the pharmacist asked me if I had run out of the medication, I told her yes since I'm not really on a specific schedule. She told me that I could fill on Saturday & that I need to get the specific directions correct & then I left. I am going on a short vacation Thursday and returning Friday, so I decided just to drop my script off at my actual Walgreen's & told them I knew it was early, but I just wanted them to file it for me and I would pick it up on Saturday. About 30 minutes-an hour later, I got a text from Walgreen's saying my script was ready. I called Walgreen's knowing this had to be a mistake & the girl on the phone said that they tried to fill it (instead of file it like I had asked!) and it was rejected because it was too early. I guess the computer system rejected it. So I said, okay, no problem, see you on the 3rd (sat) when it's ready. I am worried that they will reject my script on Saturday when it is ready since I dropped it off early, will they view this as "drug-seeking behavior"? I just wanted to get one trip to the pharmacy out of my hair so that I would only have to make one trip total on Saturday when it is ready. I also read online that someone was "flagged" by a Walgreen's pharmacist. I worry that I could have been flagged since I ran out of my medication early (according to the directions, not really according to the agreement I have with my doctor) I truly didn't think the directions mattered until now, as long as you and your doctor knew what you were doing. So worried, will they fill it Sat like they say or deny me and turn me away and am I just being paranoid? So sorry for the long-windedness of this message. It just worries me! Please someone help me out! I wouldn't pick up my script early (even if I run out) in order to be in accordance with the law. Anyone have similar experience? Anyone able to help?
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your kind words, Phil. I will keep my chin up! -Amberley
Helpful - 0
7721494 tn?1431627964
You know, I don't use Walgreens any longer, either. They're just too much trouble.

Let's hope that you don't have anymore trouble filling your Rx.

In the mean time, remember to tell your doc how greatful you are for being treated.

Expect the best.
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Avatar universal
Hi Phil!

Yes, I probably should express this with my doctor. I just don't know how to bring it up with him without him thinking I'm crazy or freaking out on me. The pain meds help a lot, but it's all of these horror stories that I read about being fired from PM online that freak me out & always make me feel like I'm doing something so wrong for just trying to improve my life! Now after the whole persecution from Walgreen's thing, I feel like I am doing something wrong & it's upsetting to me. I was so upset when I spoke with my insurance company and found out that Walgreen's could have let me fill when I dropped the script off but they flat out lied to me & told me that insurance rejected the claim & gave them a refill too soon error. The lady on the phone at the insurance company said they never got such an error sent back to them. I was also able to fill my script just fine on Thursday at CVS & with all of the prescription drug monitoring and the fact that I also used my insurance which monitors prescriptions, they would have told me if I was doing something wrong! It's just so disheartening that as a PM patient we're treated like common criminals and scared of speaking up to our doctors for fear of losing them. Again, so sorry to take your time it just bothers me a lot. I don't have much support at home with my treatment plan, so it's nice to be able to come here & vent. -<3 Amberley
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7721494 tn?1431627964
Amber, the whole purpose of using opiate analgesics is to improve your quality of life, they seem to cause you much consternation and anxiety.

We all have some apprehension during these times of persecution. However, I've seen you post almost exclusively on this subject.

Have you considered sharing some of your fears about losing this treatment modality with your doc?
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Avatar universal
Walgreens is LIKE that!!! Change to Target!!! I had a friend they gave a hard time to for no reason! Walgreens "judges" you!!!
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Avatar universal
Another related question to what I asked before. I know I should probably take a deep breath, but everything concerning my PM doc freaks me out!  I called my PM doc this morning to inform them of the change & I told the girl which pharmacy I went to and which pharmacy I was going to now. First it was Walgreen's now it is CVS. I told the girl at the PM doc that I was planning on filling the script tomorrow & I asked her if I was all good & she said "yes as long as you're not filling too early." I explained that for some reason my PM appts are about 10 days before my script is due (this is due to the fact that I had a really busy schedule & just made appts whenever I had time, so now my filling schedule is off kilter) but tomorrow would have been 28 days into my second-to-most recent script. As I said, I asked the girl if I was good to fill & she said yes, so I decided that I would just drop off today and just see if they would let me fill at CVS. Sure enough, they did which I was thrilled about so I don't have to wait all weekend and hang out at the pharmacy! After I left the pharmacy, I realized I forgot if I had given the nurse the phone number to the new CVS! I called back & left a VM including the number & a call back number if they needed to reach me. I am worried that if for some reason the girl this morning messed up and did not update my chart as she said she did and I will be in massive trouble. I have heard horror stories about people calling and reporting things to front desk people such as this & doctors offices turning around and saying "No you did not inform us of this change (although I did!), you're in violation of your contract blah blah blah" What should I say if they do say something like this when I call back? Or should I trust that the girl did her job and updated my file. I know I'm being paranoid, but I don't want to lose my doc. I hate all of the horror stories that I read that make me feel like every little thing I do, I'm going to get fired, it makes me feel like I'm going crazy.  I just don't want to lose what little help I do get for my pain. Thanks all for listening. -Amberley
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Avatar universal
Hey Kalvin!

Thank you! Yes, I read that checklist & I think it's ridiculous. I mean, no, they should probably not dispense to someone who looks or appears "high" but what judgement call do they have for legitimate pain patients. I'm gonna call the dr's office today and tell them that I'm switching pharmacies and give a brief rundown of what happened. My meds were dispensed to me on time though.

Sincerely,
Amberley
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Avatar universal
Glad to read you're considering changing pharmacies.

After being  fined $80 million by the DEA for licensing and dispensing violations, this chain has put in place a new check list for dispensing pain meds. There's a link to the actual list in the following article.

http://americannewsreport.com/nationalpainreport/walgreens-secret-checklist-pain-meds-8821775.html
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Avatar universal
Besides, to me, running out of medication means having anywhere from 0-5 pills left. :p That's getting low lol. I'll just explain it to my doc like that which is true and I'll tell him I'm happy to come in for a pill count or anything he would like for me to comply. I just hope it's not too late & this pharmacist doesn't make me look bad. I really don't want any trouble with my doc. I'm also only 23 so he already worries about me with meds of this strength already. I just really don't want to screw anything up over some dumb prying pharmacist & be in bad pain.
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Avatar universal
Hi Fooz!

The only thing is, I had the fill date simply checked at another pharmacy. I did not attempt to fill at that pharmacy. That was the pharmacy where the girl asked me if I had run out of medication. I suppose she could look up my information in the computer & report me that I asked to check the date on my fill and said I had run out of meds 3 days early & I said sometimes I take one, sometimes I take 2 but my doctor never really emphasized "Follow this die hard schedule" so I take it based on pain levels & just make sure I don't run out. The pharmacist basically tricked me into looking bad when that clearly wasn't my intent. But that seems awfully silly to call my doc. Additionally, Walgreens did end up filling and dispensing my script on May 3 when it was due so I do have the meds. I feel like if the pharmacist had called my doctor & tried to "report" me or something, then I feel like my doctor's office would have called me. Also, due to a change in my situation, my pain should be dropping tremendously, so I am changing seeing my doc every month to every 2 months so this won't be a problem again. Side note, though, I am definitely switching to CVS.  Do you still think based on the information I provided that the pharmacist would try to make me look bad to my doctor? Even though my doc has never enforced a schedule with me, so I just take them as I need them for pain and just make sure I don't run out. It's never really been a problem until this dumb pharmacist had to pry. I also figure it's better than taking them daily so I don't get addicted. I also certainly intend on telling my doctor what happened. If the pharmacist does call, I'll just be honest & I will be shocked that the girl blew it out of proportion. But they did fill my meds & I have them now. Thanks for your help Fooz. I really appreciate it. :D

sincerely,
Amberley
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Avatar universal
Sorry, I didn't have time to log in until today.  If the pharm calls your doc to report you the doc may choose to change your program etc. The only basis they would have to do that is probably your report that you were out of meds early. In my experience 3 or more efforts to fill an RX early is Walgreen's policy. I've learned the hard way 1) I can never count on any one staff at Walgreen's to have the ability to follow specialized instructions - they are too corporate and everything is automated.   If your request doesn't fit the mold, chances are they'll fudge it up.  A smaller, more personalized pharmacy might be a better fit but of course, you lose the convenience they offer Also, 2) any one pharmacist has the authority to refuse to fill a script and some of them can personally attack you and I've had more than one sabotage my RX when I stick up for myself and call them out. Last Thanksgving the on call pharmacist refused to fill my script two days before the use date even though the script said  okay to fill 3 days before use date" and even though I had called the day before & the regular pharm assured me it would be no problem.  The on call pharm and I got into a screaming match and he threatened to "report me" (which he never did) and I called the store manager and when she asked him why he refused tio fill it he said it was becuase of what was written on the back.   He had written  "doctor ordered not to fill until use date" this also made it impossible for me to take it anywhere else.   If you think your doc is understanding talk with them an let them know how the pharmacy treats you and see if he/she can help by modifying the language  on the script to counter the usual "policies" they fall back on.
Its terrible what we have to deal with, being dependent on these medications. Good Luck
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Avatar universal
Well I guess what happened now is that it is FILLED but the pharmacist is holding it hostage until the day I'm supposed to pick it up haha. This whole situation could have been avoided if the girl FILED, not FILLED hahha.
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Avatar universal
Hi Fooz!

Why would I not be okay if the pharm tech calls the doctor? And believe me,  I will definitely tell my doctor to adjust my directions! They really should be minding their own business though! So silly that she was quizzing me. I have a great relationship with my NP (I see an NP not the actual doctor). So ridiculous.

sincerely,
Amberley
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Avatar universal
You shoud be okay unless the pharm tech alls your doctor.  Everythign is automated  and they can fill, by law, up to 3 days before the use date (but some pharmacies require that the script have that exact wording).  The directions matter a lot so ask your doctor to adjust them if needed to get Walgreens off your ***, And tell them to mind their own business!!!
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